Prestige Classes -- Loreman 

Loreman
"When demi-humanity was first born, they were ignorant and the world was dark. Then the light of knowledge set minds afire and with it came life and joy and all good things. It is the job of the loremen to ensure that it shall never leave again." ~ Maximun Lighttouch, Overseer of the Bardic College of Harpsfell

Loremen are living archives; men and women (called lore ladies) who spend their lives not just learning things, but applying the knowledge they glean. To a Loreman, being well schooled in every possible subject is a priority if not a way of life.

Even in battle, a Loreman will take every opportunity to learn about his foe’s origins, fighting style and anything else he feels he can before dispatching them. Their combat style is highly analytical one that quickly calculates risks and openings.

True to their nature, Loremen spend much of their time traveling from place to place, either learning new things or imparting their knowledge on others in the capacity of advisors or private tutors. Occasionally, one will join an adventuring party on the way to a historic or secret location to find out more about it. The travel journals of such Loremen are often very popular reading among the populace.

Loremen can and will work with almost anyone who at least respects their quest for knowledge. They get along especially well with bards (who may aspire to being Loremen themselves), wizards and well schooled rogues.

Becoming a Loreman
Only bards or multi-class characters thereof have the power or the knowledge to become a true Loreman rather than simply earning the title. Most choose the path of Loreman out of an honest devotion to learning and teaching.

The Loreman

Hit Die: d6

Requirements
To qualify to become an Loreman, a character must fulfill all the following criteria:

Skills: Perform (oration or song) 8 ranks, Knowledge (any two) 8 ranks
Special: Bardic Knowledge ability, Inspire Competence Bardic Music ability, Ability to cast 2nd level arcane spells

Class Skills
The loreman’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Appraise (Int), Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Decipher Script (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Disguise (Cha), Escape Artist (Dex), Gather Information (Cha), Hide (Dex), Jump (Str), Knowledge (all skills, taken individually) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), Sleight of Hand (Dex), Speak Language (None), Spellcraft (Int), Swim (Str), Tumble (Dex), and Use Magic Device (Cha).

Skill Points at Each Level: 6 + Int modifier.

Level BAB Fort Ref Will Special Spellcasting
1 +0 +0 +0 +2 Bardic Knowledge, Bonus Feat, Bolster Courage +1
 
2 +1 +0 +0 +3 Spell Lore
+1 existing spellcasting class
3 +2 +1 +1 +3 Teacher of Men, Bonus Feat
+1 existing spellcasting class
4 +3 +1 +1 +4 Spell Lore, Bolster Courage +2
 +1 existing spellcasting class
5 +3 +1 +1 +4 Master of All Lore, Bonus Feat  

Class Features
All of the following are Class Features of the loreman prestige class.

Weapon and Armor Proficiencies: Loremen gain no additional weapon or armor proficiencies.

Bardic Knowledge: Loreman levels stack with bard levels for the purposes of Bardic Knowledge..

Spells (Sp): At the indicated level, when a new loreman level is gained, the character gains new spells per day as if he had also gained a level in whatever arcane spellcasting class she belonged to before she added the prestige class. He does not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained. This essentially means that he adds the level of loreman to the level of whatever other arcane spellcasting class the character has, then determines spells per day and caster level accordingly.

If a character had more than one arcane spellcasting class before he became an loreman, he must decide to which class she adds each level of loreman for the purpose of determining spells per day.

Bonus Feat: Loremen apply their knowledge to their lives more so than any other skill. This is reflected in the form of bonus feats. At first level and every other level thereafter, the loreman may choose a bonus feat from the Loreman feat list. Some feats cannot be taken unless the Loreman has 8 ranks in a specific skill (noted below)

Special: Instead of taking a bonus feat, a Loreman can instead choose to gain a +2 to Bardic Knowledge checks. He may do this each time he would normally gain a bonus feat from this class and the effects stack.

Bolster Courage (Su): At 1st level, the loreman augments his inspire courage ability with his tactical knowledge. He adds his bolster courage bonus to the bonus granted by inspire courage. In addition, affected allies gain a insight bonus to trip, disarm, grapple and bullrush checks equal to the loreman’s bolster courage ability.

Spell Lore (Su): Starting at 2nd level and every other level thereafter, the loreman’s constant study pays off. He gains an additional spell known, chosen from any class’s spell list, provided a character of his level could cast it and that the spell is of a level he can cast. He learns an additional spell in this way at fourth level.

Teacher of Men (Su): At 3rd level, the loreman augments his inspire competence ability with his personal knowledge of motivation. Whenever he inspires competence, he grants a competence bonus equal to his class level instead of the normal +2.

Master of all Lore (Ex): At 5th level, the Loreman is a living repository of knowledge. He adds his Intelligence modifier to any skill check he makes as an insight bonus.

Loreman Bonus Feats
Exotic Weapon Proficiency, Improved Initiative, Investigator, Martial Weapon Proficiency, Simple Weapon Proficiency, Skill Focus.

The Loreman’s list of bonus feats expands if he has 8 or more ranks in any of the following knowledge skills:

Knowledge (history):
Blind-Fight, Combat Expertise, Improved Disarm, Improved Feint, Improved Trip

Knowledge (arcana):
Brew Potion, Combat Casting, Craft Magic Arms And Armor, Craft Rod, Craft Staff, Craft Wand, Craft Wondrous Item, Forge Ring, Magical Aptitude, Scribe Scroll

Knowledge (geography OR local):
Deceitful, Deft Hands, Diligent, Leadership, Negotiator, Nimble Fingers, Persuasive

Knowledge (nature):
Acrobatic, Agile, Alertness, Athletic, Animal Affinity, Self-Sufficient, Stealthy

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